Monthly Archives: January 2014

I just noticed this was published loud & proud over on the Austin City Stitches website, so I guess I can talk about it now- I’m going to be teaching not one, not two, but… Wait for it… THREE classes in Feb & March at their store! Woot! It’s been in the works for a while now, so I’m glad it’s almost here. Here are the class descriptions straight from their site or you can peep their full class list by clicking here:
Beginning Sewing – Modern Quilting 101

The Popsicle Quilt is a modern design that incorporates the principles of negative space and asymmetry. It’s constructed using basic piecing and an adapted version of the Five Minute Circle technique. Students will learn to create and use freezer paper templates that make sewing curves easy. This technique can also be used for any kind of circle or curve, so it’s a good one to add to your quilting toolbox. At the end of class, you’ll leave with a completed quilt top and more confidence in sewing circular quilt blocks.
*HANDS-ON CLASS – bring your machine and accessories.* Supply list at registration.
Fee: $45.00(6 hrs)
Saturdays, Mar. 15 & 22, 10:30 – 1:30
Instructor: Rebecca Roach

Techniques – Quilt Binding 101

After quilting a project, there is a multitude of ways to finish off the edges. In this class, we will explore different types of binding techniques – from satin stitches to facings, to both straight grain and bias binding. Learn how to choose which one is appropriate for your project and how to apply it quickly and successfully every time!
*HANDS-ON CLASS – bring your machine and accessories.*
Supply list at registration.
Fee: $35.00(3 hrs)
Wed, Mar. 5, 6:30 – 9:30
Instructor: Rebecca Roach

This whole teaching business has got me excited for three reasons:
1. I’m getting a chance to teach something that I love!!!! Well, binding isn’t exactly in love with me, but whatever…
2. I’m helping out my North Austin peeps with their quiltin’ needs, yo!! No need to drive 20 miles to find a modern quilt!
3. The store is next door to Aquatek Tropical Fish. If I make you snore snooze in class, then you can go over & feed piranhas or whatever they have in their tanks… Ooh, their website says they have a Foxface Rabbitfish in stock!! Now you *have* to take a class so you can find out what the hell it looks like… Or a Thick Lip Swordtail Festivum. Ha. I made that up. Or did I?

Anyways, call them up at Austin City Stitches 512-374-9712 & sign up for good times. r

So, it’s 2014. I’ve always made a New Year’s resolution, but I don’t know that I’ve ever followed through with one. Last year felt like a bit of a blur because I couldn’t make myself do anything for the first part & then sewed like a crazy person at the end. In fact, I’m sitting here right now with a swollen & numb index finger from hand quilting. But I had altogether too many starts & not enough finishes. My brain likes to jump ship on things when I get halfway through because it’s always looking for the next idea. I have sketch books upon sketch books with ideas & WIP’s galore and I tell myself,”NOTHING NEW UNTIL YOU FINISH THIS PROJECT!!!” But my brain is wily & finds a way around my pronouncements. If I don’t want to finish a quilt, it decides I need to write a play.... Or sew a mini winter quilt…

But no, the top & bottom are too disjointed! It looks like Christmas in Mordor! So, my brain tells me to split it on two & make a pair of damn winter mini quilts…

Or instead draw a miniature drawing of Benedict Cumberbatch…

Or work on anything else, really. It wasn’t until I was sitting in my room with a paintbrush in my teeth & roughing in an oil painting with a palette knife that I begin to question myself-” What kind of procrastination hell is this??? Just bind your damn quilt, already!!!” Lol So, I did. & I wrote a pattern, too. 2014 is the year to make my thoughts turn into reality, but with a heretofore unseen consistency!! The word of the year is FINISH. So, let’s go get started on something, shall we? r